Coastal Angler Magazine | April 2024 | The Florida Keys Edition

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

KAYAK FISHING: RIDE THE AQUATIC SLEIGH

Whether your vessel options are limited or you just want to spice up your inshore fshing experience, fshing from a kayak should not be overlooked as a possibility. When done correctly, it is some of the most exciting fshing. It can also be modifed for the extreme, or an entirely leisure day on the water.

Kayaking is how I fell in love with fshing. Of all the diferent ways I have gone about it, I have enjoyed them all. From packing a lunch and fshing my way to an island for a picnic and a swim, to drifing backcountry mangroves other vessels cannot access, to cruising dock lights at night, or deploying in

1,300 feet of water seeking yellowfn tuna of of the oil rigs, kayak fshing is versatile with endless possibilities.

Tis type of fshing can be dangerous, and its especially important to know your limitations and be overly prepared. Currents and wind change quickly and afect your return trip. Make sure to check tides and weather before venturing or drifing too far. Paddling against the current while battling the extreme heat can put you in a bad situation very quickly. Make sure to have a small anchor onboard as well. Obviously, this will come in handy for fshing, and it can also provide an opportunity to rest if exhaustion is getting the best of you.

Decking out your rig for fshing is an art form, and there are many ways to go about it. Prioritize having a cooler attached to the back over all else. You do not want to get dehydrated out there. Aferall, you are the motor of the vessel, and should be well maintained just like any other motor.

Afx everything to your kayak with the expectation of getting fipped. Of course, do everything to keep yourself from that situation, but things happen. Use dry-storage bags, and clip everything to the kayak itself. Most kayaks are designed to make this a straightforward process.

Fishing artifcials will simplify your set up, but sometimes afer all the paddling, its nice to relax and toss out some live bait. A bait bucket on a rope with shrimp, that can be tossed out between paddles, should be all you need. For more extreme fshing, modify a PVC pipe with holes drilled into it to hold live baitfsh.

Use common sense and check local regulations. Protect yourself from the sun during the day, be properly lit at night, and stay out of high-trafc boating areas and channels. You are also required to carry a PFD and a sound producing device, such as a whistle.

Once you have hit the full safety checklist, go out there and experience the possibilities that kayak fshing has to ofer. Fishing from a kayak will intensify the tug even with smaller fsh you hook up to, so hang on and enjoy the aquatic sleigh ride.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon, Fla. See Captainquinlyn.com, @captainquinlyn or call (504) 920-6342.

FR A NKEN-FISH ON THE FLY

Hybrid striped bass are the Franken-fsh of anglers’ dreams. Also known as wipers, sunshine bass and other names, they are hatchery-produced crossbreeds of white bass and striped bass. Tey are stocked into reservoirs across the country for angler enjoyment.

Central Georgia’s Lake Oconee is a hybrid hot spot. Georgia stocks hundreds of thousands of hybrids in the lake, and conventional anglers get afer them with live baits, jigging spoons, bucktails and trolling lures.

Capt. Wayne Moore, of Oconee on the Fly guide service, is probably the only guy you’ll see on Oconee waving a fy rod from his center console. While he admits conventional tactics are more efective, there are three situations when fy fshing is both productive and a boatload of fun.

Oconee is a 19,000-acre impoundment about an hour and a half drive east of Atlanta. Te lake backs up behind a pump-back dam that creates currents that are key to a good hybrid bite. Moore said there is ofen a good afernoon bite when the dam kicks on and hybrids move onto main-lake points to chase threadfn shad. Afer locating bait and fsh with electronics, Moore goes to work on them with 8-weight fy rods and intermediate sinktip lines. He fshes a cadence of fve short strips and a pause with a 2-inch long white/chartreuse Clouser on a 5-foot leader of 12- to 15-pound

fuorocarbon.

When the bite is hot, a good angler might boat 8 to 10 fsh, and 4- to 6-pound hybrids are not uncommon. “A 6-pound hybrid is going to fght like a 10-pound striper,” Moore said.

By Nick Carter

A fy rod is also fun for the mid-lake morning bite. When the water starts moving, hybrids herd shad to the surface and blow up on them in a frenzy. Te action only lasts an hour, but the bite is consistent for two or three weeks during the May shad spawn.

With thousands of newly hatched shad in the water, Cowen’s Somethin’ Else, and Cowen’s Coyote are Moore’s go-to fies. Henry Cowen is a legendary angler and fy tier who developed patterns specifcally for striped bass in Georgia waters. His fies work just as well on hybrids.

Night fshing under the lights is another situation when Moore would rather use a fy rod.

“We don’t have a lot of lit docks here, but the

ones that are lit will be covered with fsh,” he said. Casts must be precise, and the fghts are technical, so Moore reserves night trips for experienced fy fshers.

“You better have that 15-pound leader. A 6-pound hybrid will give you a run for your money,” he said. “Tey’ll run you right back under that dock.”

With the May schooling bite approaching, it’s worth making plans to visit Oconee now…or try these tactics on your local hybrid reservoir.

Contact Wayne Moore at (404) 317-9556 or wmoore1700@outlook.com and check out Oconee on the Fly at www.oconeeonthefy.com.

Cast Lures in a Mitzi Tournament

May 10th & 11th, 2024

Online Registration:

MothersDayDolphinTournament.com

Captain’s Meeting

The Island Fish Co.

Friday May 10th - 6pm to 7pm

Lines In: Saturday, May 11 - 7:30am

Lines Out: Saturday, May 11 - 3:30pm

Weigh-In

Curly’s Cofee

Saturday, May 11th - 3:30pm to 6pm

Awards Banquet

Marathon Yacht Club

Saturday, May 11th - 7pm

Sunday Honor Our Moms

Always in our Hearts JB!

18th Annual Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament

FISH

An Angler TournamentAngler Entry Fee is a Donation

Catagories

Ladies, Junior (16 and under), Weekend Warrior and Pro Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all categories

Contact Chris Todd Young at 305-797-5779

Admin@HabitatMiddleKeys.org

Presented by

TROPHY BASS REGS IMPLEMENTED ON ORANGE AND LOCHLOOSA LAKES

Trophy bass fshing in Alachua County was already good. With recently approved regulations intended to grow trophy bass, many anglers and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are hoping it will get even better.

Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake will both be managed under new regulations, which prohibit killing or possessing any black bass that is 20 inches or longer. Also, the new rules require the use of non-ofset circle hooks when fshing with natural baits longer than 3 inches in length. Te regulations are designed to allow trophy bass to remain in the lakes to grow larger and to minimize injury to fsh caught with natural baits. Bass ofen swallow live baits prior to the hook set, and circle hooks are designed so they are more likely than other hook styles to hook fsh in the lip, rather than in the gullet.

“Florida bass need to have the right genetics and waterbody conditions to grow for a long time,” said FWC Commissioner Gary Lester. “Orange Lake is unique, like in its fuctuations in water levels, that makes ideal conditions for bass to reach record sizes.”

Indeed, Orange Lake has established itself as one of the top trophy bass lakes in the state. It produces numerous 10-plus-pound largemouth bass every year, as documented by the Florida TrophyCatch program. Already in 2024, anglers have caught, released and reported eight 10-pluspounders to the program, and this fgure doesn’t include all the fsh caught by anglers who don’t participate in TrophyCatch. Te largest Orange Lake bass this year, so far, was a monster 13-pound, 4-ounce fsh caught by Luke Bolling on Feb. 15.

Lochloosa is not as much of a trophy bass factory as its sister lake, but it does pump out several 8- to 11-pounders for the Trophy Catch program each year. Both lakes are in Alachua County southwest of Gainesville.

Tese regulations changes support FWC’s eforts to grow larger trophy

bass across the state and allow bass in these lakes to reach their maximum growth potential.

12-year-old Luke Bolling caught this 13-plus-pound Orange Lake bass in February.

FOR THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON

In my years of fshing the Indian River Lagoon, some of my best fshing has been wading.

Tere’s nothing like being in the water with the fsh. It provides advantages you don’t have in a boat. Wading is the most silent and efective way to fsh shallow water. Tere are lots of places you can access the lagoon, and all of them have fsh.

WADERS : You need a pair of chest waders because of the changing water quality, and you can get a good pair for less than $100. Waders protect you from underwater obstacles as well as cold or dirty water. In Florida, neoprene waders are too hot for most of the year. I prefer vinyl waders. If it’s cold, you can wear jogging pants under them.

Waders come with boots attached or sof shoe, which require rubber boots to wear over them. Make sure you don’t get the boot size too small. Wading boots can be very uncomfortable if they are too tight. Wear socks and get a larger boot.

GEAR: I recommend a good spinning reel with a 9- or 10-foot rod for longer casting. I use braided line because it’s strong and the smaller diameter of the line is better for casting. I use 6to 10-pound braid most of the time with 2-foot fuorocarbon leader. I use a 25-pound leader but have used 20- to 40-pound leaders in diferent situations. Carry extra leaders and lures in case your line breaks.

My main lures are search lures for making lots of casts and covering wide areas of water quickly. My favorite lure is a ¼-ounce jig with a sof-plastic body. I use D.O.A. jigs with a chartreuse head rigged with a pearl white paddletail (D.O.A. Shad Tail). It swims but is not erratic, and it’s easy for fsh to locate by sight and vibration. Te other search lures I use are shallow-running crankbaits (Yo-Zuri Inshore in pearl white), topwater lures (Skitterwalk/Zara Spook or Chug Plug), and spoons (Johnson silver or gold). Te jig covers shallow and deep water and can be skipped under piers and mangroves.

WIND: Too much wind, and it’s too hard to fsh. Not enough wind, and the fsh are hard to catch. It’s easier to fsh with the wind at your back because you can cast farther. To get the right wind, you can fsh either the east side or the west side of the lagoon. Most of the time there is an easterly wind. If it’s too windy, fsh around the Stuart bridges, which almost completely block the wind.

LOCATIONS: I wade the southern Indian River Lagoon from Sebastian to Jupiter, mostly between Fort Pierce and Stuart. Here are my favorite spots:

West Side—Walton Road (intersection with Indian River Rd) and Walton Scrub; Midway Road and Old Fort Park in Fort Pierce; and both Stuart Bridges.

April Fishing Forecast:

There’s still a pompano bite on the beaches and in the lagoon. Jig from the bridges or wade while fan casting with jigs. Look for birds and bait to fnd bluefsh, jacks and ladyfsh. Snook will still be deep, but on warm days they will run the beach from the inlets and be around the deeper piers in the lagoon. Redfsh are around the deeper piers.

East Side—Bear Point then Blind Creek in Fort Pierce; North and South Herman’s Bay in St. Lucie; and both Stuart Bridges.

Richard L. Matteson is a long-time contributor to Coastal Angler Magazine who reports for the Stuart Rod and Reel Club.

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Florida Keys

HApril

ope everybody has been having a great month of fishing, I know we have been dealing with some cold fronts and the wind that comes in along with it but the fishing out on the edge of the reef and around the local bridges and channels has been great! We have been catching everything from bluefish to kingfish on the oceanside and every jack cravelle passing through the Florida Keys must have made a stop in Islamorada over the last few weeks.

I got a call from Capt. Alex Adler on the KALEX a few weeks ago that I needed to run out to 20ft and see a football field size school of bluefish that was devouring everything in its way. We were in the backcountry casting at a few rolling tarpon that were brushing us off so the idea of a school of hungry fish was a

Opportunities

By: Capt. Greg Poland

breath of fresh air, so we quickly tied a wire leader on a spin rod and a trace of wire on the fly rod and left for the best morning of fishing I can ever remember. When we found the school of bluefish, they were in 25ft of water just south of the lighthouse and we followed them all the way to the Long Key bridge.

We caught them on every type of tackle we had on the boat and had multiple triple headers on but the best part was watching Kyle toss a fly into a school of hungry fish. These are photos from that day of a tackle busting adventure.

My good friend Capt. Randy Towe has opened a new shop called Islamorada Fishing Outfitters that has everything from rod and reel repair to custom built fishing rods that he makes on site, so if you find yourself in the Tavernier area check him out between the 7-11 and the traffic light on the bayside in the strip mall. He has a lot of good advice and some cool fishing memorabilia in the shop from all his years of guiding and tournament fishing in South Florida. In the backcountry and Everglades, the snook fishing has been slow for me and most of the guys I have been getting reports from and I feel this is mostly because of all those cold fronts but by the time you are reading this they should be in our rear-view mirror.

I have some prime dates open this spring so if you want to get out and do a little tarpon fishing give me a call or email all my info is below and we can take your boat or my new Contender 25 Bay Boat.

By: Capt. Angelia Swanson

April is a wonderful month to visit our beautiful Florida Keys. The weather is warming up nicely, but the sweltering heat of summer has yet to arrive, the rain and wind seems to give us a break, the snowbirds are leaving for their winter homes, and the spring breakers go back to their college studies. This leaves us with a nice lull before the summer rush and gives visitors a chance to vacation without large crowds and plenty to do. This is also my favorite time for patch reef fishing trips. Even though Grouper season doesn’t start for another month, the snapper are biting like crazy and oh so fun to catch! Anchoring on our beautiful reef with the radio on and some lines in the water is a relaxing and special way to spend a day and have a great fishing experience and reef fishing trips are also very affordable. You can catch plenty of Yellowtail Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Grunts (also called White Snapper, Grey Snapper, or Key West Grunts and they are delicious despite what many anglers say!). There is also the never-ending species of ornamental reef fish that will bite your hook. Most of these fish are not table fare, so please safely catch and release, but they are exciting and interesting to get a close-up view of. My most exciting ornamental reef fish catch was a giant Blue Parrotfish that makes for stunning pictures before quickly being returned to the coral it calls home. It also made for a memorable fight to the boat!

Another of my favorite activities that go into full force this time of year is

snorkeling on that beautiful reef. The water has warmed up nicely by April but is still cool and refreshing for an underwater adventure. For those who have never gotten into the water in the keys, it is startlingly beautiful and full of life. Looking across the vastness of the emerald blue water, it’s hard to imagine that below that surface is a magical world full of thousands of varieties of fish and ocean life, not to mention the magnificent coral reef itself. Your snorkeling experience is likely to give you a once in a lifetime experience with nurse sharks, eels, turtles, sting rays, huge Tarpon, and much, much more! Once you spend some time with your face in our waters on the reef, you will never look at our oceans the same again. It is one of my great pleasures to introduce people to our amazing underwater world!

During your spring visit to the keys there are many more things to do and experience, such as several dolphin centers, the turtle hospital, Theater of the Sea, feeding the giant tarpon at Robbies, sailing our backcountry waters, or kayaking our magnificent mangrove trails, just to name a few.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect getaway this month, give me a call! I’ll help you plan your perfect keys adventure!

By: Capt. Bruce Andersen

I20-year-old motorhome and headed south towards the Florida Keys. As a 19-yearold kid there was a lot I didn’t know, but I did know that I wanted to be a fisherman, and I wanted to try to make it in the sport fishing capital of the world, Islamorada, Flor ida. I had spent most of my teenage years mating on charter boats up in New York, and I always heard about the great fishing down in the Keys and wanted to see it for myself.

I rolled into the Keys in April 1994, which would be 30 years ago this month. I managed to make it as a fisherman here in the Keys and I’m happy to say that here I am 30 years later having shared my love for fishing with thousands of customers and friends. Looking back on my career as a charter captain, I have been reflecting on a lot of my longtime customers. Luckily, I recently had the opportunity to fish with several of my oldest customers over the last few weeks.

One trip that stood out was my customer John Henry from Ohio. John has been fishing with me for over 20 years and I still have a great picture of his daughter Jessica when she was just a young teenager with a tarpon she caught. She’s now all grown-up and has kids of her own and pretty soon they’ll be old enough to start coming out fishing with us too. I was able to take John, Jessica, and a few other members of the family out this week. We had a great day, catching a variety of spe cies, including John’s first Florida Keys sailfish! The fact that John has been out with me dozens of times over multiple decades and can still catch something new is a great example of the amazing variety of fishing available to us in the Florida Keys. Over the years, John and his family have caught tarpon, tuna, mahi, king mackerel, mutton snapper, amberjack, and dozens of other species and even after all this time there are still new fish to catch and new experiences to be had.

Seeing multiple generations of the same family grow up right on your boat is one of the special parts of being in the charter business for so long. It’s the kind of thing that really makes you appreciate those longtime customers that hang in there with you through the years. I don’t think I’ve got another 30 years in me, but I’ve still got a lot of gas left in the tank and I’m looking forward to meeting even more families and showing them what fishing here in the Keys is all about. Call me and let’s go out fishing together!

MSNOOK TRIP

By: Hunter Pence

any coastal anglers living in Florida are in search of big snook. Joe, Trey Brooks and I, are no different. One Saturday morning we filled the skiff with the rods, bait and tackle needed to hook a 30+ inch snook. We drove down towards the ten thousand islands because in the past that’s where we’ve landed some large ones. After launching the boat, we motored over to a couple of oyster beds. Live shrimp were on the hook and we were using lighter tackle. The water had good visibility so our line, leader and hooks were all on the smaller side to ensure that if a snook saw our bait presentation it would be fooled into taking it.

After catching only ladyfish and snapper we moved around searching for what we came for: snook. After a quick 5-minute run on the boat I found a small school of snook at the edge of the mangroves. These snook were smaller, so not what we were looking for, but nonetheless it was still fun to reel in 14-inch snook cast after cast. Using light tackle and line paid off. It made catching a humble snook into a fun fight, but they still were not what we were looking for.

Around 4:00 we knew we had very little time left. We decided to troll along the mangroves. Using a bomber, “Long A Hard Bait” we trolled along the mangroves at a steady pace. Joe ended up hooking a snook while trolling on a spoon which was a nice, little fight but still wasn’t what we came for: a big, bucket mouth snook.

Finally, five minutes into trolling a Bomber we hooked one. A sizable snook saw our lure, committed to it, hooked up and the line started screaming. Trey Brooks was holding the rod when the snook hit and he fought the snook from the bow of the boat. The battle was long but after the snook peeled the line three or four times, it was evident whenever it got close to the boat it was tiring out. Eventually the snook gave us a window to lip it and grab it out of the water. A 15+ pounder.  Landing a big snook like that doesn’t happen every trip, so to say it was exciting is an understatement. It was a great day of fishing, and we can’t wait to go on the water again.

— Check out our instagram @reel_haulin_bass (Hunter Pence) @treybrooks83 (Trey Brooks)

IN THE KITCHENwithJessica

By: Jessica Harris

SPRING

Fishing holds a special place in my heart as well as cooking. I’ve always been interested in the Catch, Clean, Cook videos on YouTube to learn new recipes and new fishing and cooking ideas. The thrill of getting the fish and working for them combined with the excitement of getting to take them home to feed your family and friends with your own special touch in the kitchen is unmatched. The fishing doesn’t end when you dock the boat this way.

This goes way back to when I was a little girl growing up fishing with my dad and grandpa and watching my grandma and my mom cook it. I love presenting the cooked (or uncooked) fish in a beautiful way to respect the fish’s life, too.

A quote that I heard from Landshark Outdoors that has always stuck with me is “There are no trash fish, just trash cooks!” So don’t be afraid to try out new recipes with fish that some people may say is “trash” or “no good.” You would be surprised at how actually good they are if cooked and served properly! The more you play around and learn more in the kitchen, the more fun it’ll get. For example, when people think of king fish all they think is “oh smoke it or throw it away” well, if you plate it up from the grill with a nice teriyaki marinade, you probably wouldn’t even know it was king fish. Same with so many others. You just have to get the feel of how thin/thick to cut them and how long to cook them. This is a hobby of mine that I pray continues to flourish for years to come. My dad use to always say “let’s go catching!” So, I challenge you to keep your next catch (if legal) and find a fun way to prepare it. Good luck and happy fishing!

Keys Native & Local Capt. Tyler Valles out of Bud & Mary’s

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AprilBringsBabyBirdstoFlorida’s Beaches and Barrier Islands

It’s spring! Now is the time when many birds are starting their families. While some birds lay their eggs in tree nests, sea and shorebirds lay their eggs right on the sand, where they are well camouflaged and vulnerable. Species including Snowy Plovers, Black Skimmers, and Least Terns are very protective of their nests and will take flight whenever people approach too closely.

Audubon Florida works with land managers to post signs that alert people of locations where the birds are nesting, particularly on and around barrier islands along the Gulf Coast. Birds are drawn to these areas where there is ample tidal overwash, well-drained sand, and a lack of trees and other vegetation that can harbor predators.

In addition to natural threats such as high tides and coastal storms, beach-nesting birds face a suite of human-induced challenges, including vehicular traffic, boat traffic, kites, off-leash dogs, getting stepped on, and firework displays on crowded beaches. These disturbances can cause adult birds to abandon their nests or chicks, which can ultimately lead to chicks starving, getting eaten by predators, or overheating in the sun.

In many locations where birds and people overlap, Audubon assigns volunteer bird stewards to point out nesting birds and answer questions.

How to help beach-nesting birds raise their next generation of chicks to adulthood:

• Respect posted areas, even if you don’t see any birds inside.

• If birds dive-bomb you, carefully move away as there is a nest nearby.

• Ensure no trash or food remnants are left behind, as this can attract predators.

• Retrieve and properly dispose of all fishing line and gear.

• Respect local dog ordinances and only take your furry friend to designated dog beaches.

Audubon Florida protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1900, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive.

PREDATORS OF THE DARK

It’s no secret that sharks have practically taken over the many areas where we like to fish. Each venture out there guarantees encounters with these beasts, at least one but possibly more. But sometimes, you’re just in the mood to fight a shark. For shark fans like myself, it’s always cool to see them up close, even if they like to take our gamefish from us. They’re tough and put up a hard fight, but once you successfully bring one in, your exhaustion is met with reward.

Recently we’ve dived into island-camping, and as a result, night fishing has been popular among our activities. My first time was quite the adventure. Despite having to deal with mosquitos, the trip was an awesome experience. The freedom of being unplugged from social media paired with making good memories outdoors is what it’s all about. Night fishing was the highlight of the trip, where cut mullet and ladyfish served as irresistible treats for the hungry tax men. Each night we drove the boats a little way from shore so we could drop our bait into deeper water. Then once back on shore, we placed our rods in the holders and moved to the campfire, keeping an ear out for any signs of screaming drags.

As we waited for any rod to go off, we gathered by the campfire, enjoying music, grilling burgers, and sharing conversations and laughs. Soon enough, the distinctive sound of a rod going off would interrupt us. We all would sprint towards the rod holders, pulling out flashlights directed at the water. Even if it wasn’t your rod going off, everyone still shared the excitement.

Throughout our two-night stay, we managed to successfully hook a few sharks. Some gave us a quick and clean cut, while others met us face to face. Too bad we didn’t have wire leader with us! Unfortunately, our fluorocarbon leader gave them the perfect opportunity to cut the line if it was in the right spot.

Throughout our trip, as each shark neared the shore, we erupted with excitement. We met a couple feisty ones that weren’t too happy about getting pulled away from more dinner. We had to be careful around those, as we didn’t want to get bit. After capturing the moments with photos, removing hooks, and ensuring a safe release, we watched them swim back to their habitat - a surreal experience to witness. It’s a small reminder of how much marine life is out there, and how many sharks may be hidden under the surface near us. While a little fear strikes me when I see them, I have an undeniable respect for these intense and inspiring creatures.

By: Caitlyn Gatrell

Who Doesn’t Want to be Here…

- Los Cayos Apparel

Kayak Fishing for Juvenile Tarpon

By: Randy Morrow

Spring is here and one of my favorite targets as the water warms are juvenile tarpon. Generally, around 10 to 20 pounds, with considerably larger ones in the mix, the fun factor on these fish is off the charts! Once hooked, they pull hard and jump completely out of the water, somersaulting through the air end over end. It’s quite a sight!

Baby tarpon “spots” are some of the most closely guarded secrets among guides in the Lower Keys, but many of the bridges in the Keys will have tarpon around, especially on an outgoing tide. And of course, you could always find them the old-fashioned way - by simply exploring likely areas. Tarpon are primarily nocturnal feeders, making sunrise, sunset and nighttime the best periods to fish them though you can catch them all day. They also seem to show themselves (“roll”) more frequently when there is little to no wave action from the wind.

Feeding them isn’t too difficult, but getting a good hookset can be tricky. They have a very bony mouth with little soft tissue so here are a few pointers to increase your hookup ratio.

First, make sure your hooks are razor sharp. This is true of most saltwater fish but particularly true with tarpon. I use Owner and Gamakatzu hooks exclusively because they are extremely sharp right from the package and stay sharp for a long time. Second, carry a small file in your gear at all times, and check the sharpness of your hooks every time you go fishing. Just drag the hook point across your fingernail to check it. If it doesn’t immediately stick, it’s not sharp enough - touch it up with your file. If you can’t reestablish a good point, toss that hook for a fresh one. (I was lazy about this in the early days of my fishing career, but not anymore.) Third, pay attention to your hook setting technique. With spinning gear, it should be short but very firm, and I like to hit them twice. The giant, over-the-shoulder hook setting nonsense you see on TV has no value here and will lose you fish. For fly fishermen, the “strip strike” with your line hand is an absolute must, and again I like to hit them twice. Northern river techniques of simply raising the rod (trout setting) WILL NOT get the job done on tarpon.

Live shrimp or crabs will catch plenty of small tarpon, but frankly, you don’t even need live bait. Soft plastics like shrimp and baitfish work very well. And I’ve generally found that larger, wide gap hooks (2/0, 3/0) work best. I prefer little to no weight on these because tarpon like to eat UP, not down.

Fly fishers’ quiver should include gurglers, small baitfish, and unweighted shrimp, 30lb fluorocarbon tippet and an 8wt or 9wt rod.

If you’d like some help with your Florida Keys kayak fishing adventures, email, call, ring, or text anytime. And please visit my website for plenty of good kayak fishing info!

— Randy Morrow, Kayak Fishing Guide | LowerKeysKayakFishing.com randy@lowerkeyskayakfishing.com | 305-923-4643

Capt. Joel’sFISHIN’ HOLES

By: Capt. Joel Brandenburg

Ana Banana Fishing Company is on the water 300 days a year or more. Sometimes we go a couple years in a row without getting pulled over by any law enforcement officials on the water and sometimes we get pulled over three times a week for three weeks in a row. My personal record is being pulled over three times in one day. One day I was pulled over by FWC, Coast Guard and Monroe County Marine Division. Last week I tied my record by getting pulled over three times in one day by FWC, Coast Guard and NOAA. We’ve also been pulled over by Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency and National Immigration Agency. Yes, it’s a hassle, and yes it’s a time killer especially on a charter, but thank God for these law enforcement officers and all they do for us and the environment. You can complain about them all you want, but have a vessel emergency offshore for example sinking or a fire and see how quickly they are on scene to save you and your crews lives. I’ve fished in a lot of 3rd world countries that don’t have the luxury and security we have if you get in trouble on the water. We sometimes take these luxuries and securities for granted. One time I was stranded 30 miles off the coast of Salinas Ecuador in 8ft waves, 50ft hump back whales crashing all around the boat and pirate warnings in the area and there was nobody available to save us. That’s when I was missing home. That’s when I wanted to tap my heels together like Dorothy from Wizard of Oz and say there’s no place like home. Different agencies typically look for different things, but they all can and do look for many of the same things. For example, Coast Guard is normally all about safety equipment where as FWC is normally about environmental protection, but they will both check for flares and fish at the same time.

I recommend every boater call and make an appointment with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to do a voluntary inspection of your vessel. They will come out for no or little charge and inspect your vessel for all safety issues required. Once you pass inspection you’ll get a sticker that goes on the side of your windshield letting everyone know that your vessel passed inspection and you’ll also get an inspection letter/certificate that shows your vessel passed inspection too. The sticker and certificate are good for one year then expire. I think fishing captains get pulled over more than recreational fisherman and boaters. Maybe it’s because we’re on the water more or because we charter tourist and Florida’s tourist industries are under strict inspection. Charter captains are also held to a higher standard than the general public. We have to have many more licenses, permits and safety equipment that the general public is required to have. Being pulled over on the water is just like being pulled over on the road. If you’re are polite and helpful to the officer, typically they will be too. If you’re a jerk towards them they’ll be a jerk towards you too. It’s important to keep in mind that they have a duty to do and ultimately their job is to protect us and the environment and it can get rather dangerous and it’s a job many of us couldn’t or wouldn’t do, but like I mentioned earlier thank god for all of our law enforcement officers and please thank them for their thankless service every time you get a chance too. On another note, Spring has almost sprung, so look for the fishing to get better and better in weeks to come. For a charter with Capt. Joel or JoJo Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company call office 305-395-4212or cell 813-267-4401 or visit us at www.marathonkeyfishingcharters@gmail.com or visit us in person at 11699 Overseas Hwy Marathon Florida Keys

— For a charter with Captain Joel or Jojo Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company in Marathon Florida Keys call cell 813-267-4401 or office 305-395-4212 or visit www.marathonkeyfishingcharters.com or visit us in person at Ana Banana Marina located at 11699 Overseas Hwy Marathon Florida Keys. Look for the big yellow Ana Banana sign with antlers around it.

MARINE THEFT PREVENTION

• Install motion sensor lights. Make sure areas around the boat are well lighted.

• Install surveillance cameras and make sure they will capture the face of an intruder. Cameras are often installed too high and only capture the top of a suspects head or the brim of the hat he is wearing.

• Install a GPS tracking device on your boat and/or engines.

• Install a boat alarm. Alarms are very effective at preventing equipment and boat thefts.

• Disconnect the batteries to disable the trim / tilt function. Keep the engine down, touching the ground so the lower unit can’t be removed.

• If the boat is on a trailer, chain the rims together or boot one of the wheels to prevent the boat and trailer from being stolen.

• Keep a trailer hitch lock on at all times.

• Install bolt locks on the engine or put extra-long engine bolts on and bend the ends.

• Destroy the threads on one bolt so the nut can’t be removed.

• Keep valuable electronics in a secure location. It might be a hassle, but it will same you thousands of dollars in the long run.

• Take pictures and record serial numbers if available.

• Don’t leave fishing and diving equipment unattended outside. It only takes a thief a minute - literally - to take it.

• If you are gone for an extended period, call your local Sheriff’s Office substation. Our deputies will keep an eye on your property while you are away.

Crime Stoppers offers a reward for the arrest of anyone in a felony criminal case. If you see anything suspicious, call the Sheriff’s Office immediately! It is our job to check out suspicious activity. Your call may be the one that helps us catch the bad guys!

CALL 911 IF A CRIME IS TAKING PLACE

If you see something you think may be suspicious. Call CrimeStoppers with any crime tips: 1-866-471-8477

Florida Keys

BigsmokerkingfishontheMainOne,of MainAttractionFishingCharters.

If you have a catch to brag about send your picture and caption to: flkeys@coastalanglermagazine.com

Blackfin tuna caught on the kite in Marathon. Way to go Mark and Jim on Main Attraction Charters.

Capt. Angelia Swanson of Salty Cowgirl Fishing Charters with a beautiful Parrot Fish.

Bri shows off her Mahi caught while kite fishing in Islamorada.

Artie Chiodo with his personal best Mutton caught off Marathon.

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WIN A LOADED ’YAK IN FWC’S TRIPLE THREAT THROWDOWN

The second season of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Triple Treat Trowdown runs from March 1 to Sept. 29, and Triple Treat Club members have a chance to win an awesome fshing kayak bundle valued at more than $4,500.

779.770.2100

Te Trowdown is a part of FWC’s Catch a Florida Memory, which is intended to enhance and increase participation in saltwater fshing. Te Triple Treat Club is for anglers who have achieved all three of Catch a Florida Memory’s recognition programs: Saltwater Grand Slam, Saltwater Reel Big Fish and Saltwater Life List 10 Fish Club. Anglers who reach Triple Treat Club status will be entered into a drawing for the kayak bundle afer the Trowdown season ends on Sept. 29. Anglers who are already in the Triple Treat Club will receive a drawing entry for each new recognition they earn during the challenge period.

“Building of of last year’s successful season, we are excited to announce Season 2 of Catch a Florida Memory’s Triple Treat Trowdown with an even bigger prize from our generous sponsors,” said Jessica McCawley, director of Marine Fisheries Management. “We encourage anglers to get out on the water, make Florida memories and help conserve fsheries by targeting a diversity of species.”

One lucky angler will be randomly drawn to win a top-of-the-line kayak fshing bundle valued at over $4,500. Tis bundle includes a Bonafde P127 kayak, a premium Mustad fshing gear bundle and kayak safety kit. Te award is made possible by Bonafde, Mustad and Russ Vorhis Insurance AgencyState Farm.

Find out how to qualify for the drawing at CatchaFloridaMemory.com.

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SPRING fiSHING CLASSIC EVENT SAVE UP TO $4,000

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ENDS MARCH 27TH, 2024

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FLORIDA LITHIUM: BEST-IN-CLASS BATTERIES AND SERVICE

While working for his father’s transformer company, Deltona Transformers, in the 80s, Mike Prelec Sr. identifed an opportunity to provide a smarter battery charging solution to the bass fshing industry. Subsequently, Mike Sr. and the engineers at Deltran designed and built the global brand Deltran BatteryTender®, a leader in battery chargers and accessories.

Fast forward 40 years, and Mike Sr. parlayed his experience with electronics to test and scrutinize a new generation of high-quality, fast-charging lithium batteries. Mike established a central Florida test lab and began ordering samples from several overseas manufacturers. Even the platinumtier manufacturers provided varying quality in components, cells, boards and overall inconsistent construction. Several years later, with a select group of top-tier vendors, Florida Lithium was launched to provide bestin-class deep cycle-dual purpose (800 cranking amps) LifePO4 batteries that meet or exceed all Mercury requirements for lithium batteries. Today, Florida Lithium’s product line ranges from 12V, 36V and 48V batteries, providing versatile options for cranking, house electronics, or trolling motor applications. Teir DeLand warehouse is available for pickups Monday through Friday (by appointment only), and they ofer shipping nationwide. Florida Lithium also provides batteries and accessories to marine dealers, boat builders and marine service/repair shops throughout the Southeast.

Tere is no doubt you can fnd cheap lithium batteries on Amazon or other marketplaces, but when push comes to shove, some of those poorly constructed batteries will fail, leaving you with a very expensive paperweight and the inability to get anyone (stateside) on the phone. Florida Lithium’s customer support team actually speaks English, and in the event you reach their voicemail, a member of the team will respond in a timely manner.

Florida Lithium is proud to provide Florida-based customer service and technical support, coupled with a no-nonsense fx, repair or replace warranty. Lead-acid batteries are quickly becoming a thing of the past. If you are looking for a powerful, lightweight and reliable battery upgrade, Florida Lithium has you covered. Teir team is made up of Florida-based boaters and fsherman, and they understand what’s required to maximize your on-the-water experience.

By Scott Goodman

Custom Spliced Dock Lines & Anchor Rodes

Jimmy Johnson Dishes on quEst foR tHE RINg

Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring Championship Fishing Week is an annual South Florida event that is renowned for a guaranteed milliondollar-plus purse. It’s the largest guaranteed prize for fshing in the world, so far as we are aware. Te “real prize” is the chance for one team to win diamond-studded Super Bowl-caliber rings that rival any awarded by the NFL.

Te event’s namesake is, of course, legendary Hall of Fame football coach Jimmy Johnson, who is now a fxture in the South Florida fshing community. I had a chance to sit down with Coach to pick his brain about the tournament.

Johnson grew up on the Gulf Coast of Texas and loved saltwater from the get-go. “Daddy had a little14 foot wooden boat in Galveston,” he recalled. Johnson fshed as a child and developed a passion during his time as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

“I liked to get out in the boat early and fsh by myself,” he said. “I found fshing to be so peaceful as opposed to the stress of coaching pro football. I just love it. I have caught and released fve blue marlin by myself… but my favorite fsh is the wahoo because they just scream. I’ll fast troll with lures or slow troll with a ballyhoo and a cigar weight.”

Coach Johnson’s tournament started as a local Florida Keys event.

“Well, it started as a small tournament in the Keys centered around my restaurant, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill,” he said. “Since bringing on the crew at Fish Hard Events, it has become the enormous experience it is today.”

Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring Championship Fishing Week, or JJFISHWEEK, includes the main event, the two-day Catch & Release ‘Quest for the Ring’ Championship, featuring a $1 million guaranteed purse; JJ’s National Sportfsh Tournament, for the meat fsh afcionados; and the inviteonly Hard Rock Invitational.

Tis year’s JJFISHWEEK concluded March 9 with an awards ceremony at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Coveted championship rings were awarded to Owner Sandra MacMillan, Capt. John Louis Dudas and Team Sandman, aboard a 63-foot Spencer, which earned them a cool $300,000. Tis marks Sandman’s third championship, having clinched the title in 2018 and 2020.

Obviously, the money and fshing are big-time, but Johnson likes how the event engages the fshing community and gives back. Tis year’s event raised more than $100,000 for the CI Foundation, which will be gifed to its charitable benefciaries.

“I love the people that it brings together,” he said. “We also have a number of charities that we support. My son has the Tranquil Shores Foundation, which is a drug and alcohol abuse center. He’s got a foundation for people who can’t aford treatment.”

Te next stop for Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring is an inaugural Atlantic City, New Jersey tournament July 14-20. Next year’s Florida event is slated for March 4-8, 2025. For more information JJFishWeek.com.

Scott Goodman is Co-publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine/Miami.

WORK THE EDGES FOR

SPRING INSHORE ACTION

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

As the seasons change, so should your fshing locations and tactics. In my quest to target larger trout and reds, I modify my approach slightly versus what I have been doing for the past three or four months. However, depending on the weather, spring can be a tricky time to fnd solid and repeatable patterns. With the water temperature swings, the fsh begin to move from winter to spring areas. But a slight cold front will send them right back to their winter patterns, and it will keep you on your toes.

Te frst major transition is from mud to a frmer sand bottom. In my area, the prominent structure will still be grass, but the base sediment will change. If your area structure is shell or rocks, you will still want to fnd harder sand. According to biologists, the primary reason for this is the winter forage, primarily mullet, fnd their food source in the mud during the colder months. We all know fsh follow the bait, and that is why we target trout and reds on sofer bottoms in the winter. As the water warms, the next generation of perch shrimp and other species hatch and will be found in structure with a frm bottom. In my area, that will be grass.

Now that we know where to fsh, let’s cover the how. In spring, staying tight to the cover is important. It is imperative for juvenile forage to stay in tight schools and intermingled in the structure for survival. Keeping your lure near the grass, shell, or wherever you are fshing will be critical to success. I target the borders where sand and grass meet. Each area will vary depending on if it is predominantly sand or grass. If it is mostly grass, I concentrate my eforts casting into the grass and working my lure into the sand, paying attention to the edge and giving the fsh time to fnd my lure at that intersection. On the other hand, if it is mostly sand, I will target the grass patches and once again the edge.

Spring allows us to utilize a wide range of lures. Sof plastics danced along the bottom or topwaters skated across the surface can both be efective, depending on the mood of the fsh. Tis will be determined by water temp and the passing of late-season cool fronts.

Whatever lure you decide to use, concentrate on the edges of the available cover to increase your odds of having a productive day. As always, take a kid fshing; you just might learn something.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES ®

FISHING THE SECOND SHIFT

Spring is one of my favorite times of year for many species on the inshore menu, including red drum, snook and trout. I usually fsh at night for several reasons including my “day job,” which keeps me occupied for a vast majority of daylight hours. I guess I could become a weekend warrior, but I’ve noticed the best weather typically doesn’t occur on weekends. Tere’s an old saying that goes something like this: “You know what happens afer two days of really crappy weather?”

“MONDAY!”

All joking aside, I believe the best bite for older, wiser, heavily pressured fsh is at night. Tey’re a little more at ease afer the sun goes down and the boat trafc lets up. Tis is when the big girls let their guard down and come back into shallower water to feed. Wherever you fnd shrimp and small mullet along the edges is a good place to take advantage of aggressively feeding redfsh, trout or snook afer dark. Te patterns are similar for all of them.

Just before dark is a good time to get situated to the rising or falling tide and the water clarity, which might be afected by

frequent rains this time of year. Get used to your surroundings and how fast the current is running. Keep the lights low, and allow your night vision to kick in as darkness settles.

Music on the boat is fun, but this is a situation when you’ll want to be quiet. Don’t play the radio loud or stomp around on the deck. Close your coolers and hatches quietly. Try not to talk are laugh too loud. Sound travels extremely well in the water, and when the rest of the world is quiet, the noise you make is even more startling to the fsh.

I don’t even use “spot lock” on the trolling motor at night in shallow water. I think fsh have learned to associate the sound of trolling motors with the presence of a boats and humans… just saying. Make your own choice here.

Color selection is a very important at night. Dark colors, especially with shrimp lures, work better at night, especially when there is a bright moon. It might sound crazy, but dark colors are silhouetted by the moonlight and are easier for fsh to see. Dark brown, purple and black can be extremely hot on nights with a full or nearly full moon.

I’m partial to shrimp imitations, and a lot of times I’ll suspend one under a glowin-the-dark cork for night fshing. Tat cork carries it along perfectly with the current and you can keep your eyes on where your bait is, which is one of the difculties of fshing at night.

If you’re like me and have a job that keeps you occupied during the day, consider fshing the second shif. You might be pleasantly surprised.

See more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

Tim Barefoot

By A. deGruchy

CHASING BACKCOUNTRY COBIA in the Keys

Cobia are robust, daring, and always up for a challenge. You know you’re in for some fun when you spot them cruising near the surface, sometimes in pairs or groups, hounding baitfsh like a wolfpack or drawn in by curiosity at the action around your boat. If you’re geared up and ready for them, a little fnesse will have you luring them in like a pro.

Location is key. When fshing for cobia in the backcountry here in the Florida Keys, we look for them to be around structures, wrecks and foating debris, ofen roaming the same areas in groups. Tey’re not pickiest eaters. Pitch a live bait out in front of them, and they’ll usually eat it, and we’ve also had great success with a Savage Gear RTF 3D Shrimp.

Te action when using these Savage Gear shrimps is a hard jerking lif, then letting your shrimp fall, mimicking a shrimp’s natural actions. For the battle, the optimal gear is at least a 4500 reel, but you really don’t need more than a 6500, and we always trust our Penn Authority and pair it with a medium/medium-light Carnage III Rod for maximum control and power.

Te most important thing to remember when hooking a cobia is to be ready, as it’s very common to spot “following” cobia. Tey ofen travel together and like to investigate what your hooked cobia is doing and eating. Tese “followers” can lead to an epic double header, but only if you have enough rods rigged and ready on the boat and hands to cast them.

Cobia are known for powerful runs, ofen scoping up and switching directions in a split second. Keep calm, adjust your drag, and let them exhaust themselves. Stay alert as you reel in your cobia, as they are known for sudden maneuvers, and will sometimes dart under the boat in a heartbeat. And the fght doesn’t end even afer you’ve gafed a cobia. Exercise caution when you bring them over the rail and onto the deck because they ofen cause havoc on the boat. It’s best to tire them out completely during the fght to minimize potential damage.

Since regulations frequently change with cobia, staying informed is important. One keeper cobia can feed a lot of people. Teir meat is known for its steak-like texture and delicate favor, perfect for a mouthwatering sear with butter and seasoning.

For the best shot at spotting a cobia, consider booking a full-day charter. Tis helps your chances to see one, and the timing should be pretty solid for in the upcoming weeks.

Book a charter at www.beansportfshing.com and follow their cobia adventures at “Bean Sportfshing TV” on YouTube.

PRE-SPAWN FISH

BREAK STATE RECORDS

Along with blooms on the trees and frogspawn in the ponds, the annual rites of spring include an uptick in anglers reporting heavyweight catches.

A spate of recent record catches marks the transition to longer days, warmer weather and spring-spawning species putting on weight. In Indiana, an angler caught a monster 8-pound, 4-ounce smallmouth bass that crushed the existing state record by a pound. In Kentucky and Georgia, two anglers boated big yellow perch. Te Kentucky perch set a new state record, while the Georgia fsh earned the angler a tie for the heaviest perch ever caught in the Peach State.

In Indiana, angler Rex Remington caught his big pre-spawn smallie on March 3 at Monroe Reservoir. Te fsh was weighed on certifed scales in the presence of Indiana DNR ofcials before being released. Te new record was adopted a couple weeks later and is listed at 8 pounds, 4 ounces, beating a record that had stood since 1992. Te all-tackle world record smallmouth weighed 11 pounds, 15 ounces. It was caught from Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee in 1955.

Smaller, but no-less-impressive, Lynn Bumgardner caught his 1.58-pound Kentuckyrecord yellow perch at Lake Barkley on March 2. It beat the existing 1.44-pound record caught in 2010. He was trolling grubs for crappie and knew

he had a heavy fsh when it hit, but he didn’t realize it was a potential record perch until it surfaced. Te fsh was 14.25 inches long.

Tey must grow perch bigger in Georgia. On Feb. 18, Emerson Mulhall caught a huge 16-inchlong, 2-pound, 9-ounce yellow perch that tied the existing state record set in 2013. Mulhall, who usually bass fshes at north Georgia’s Lake Burton was initially confused, because the fsh he’d hooked didn’t fght like a bass. When he realized it was a perch, his father convinced him to get of the lake and go get it weighed on certifed scales.

Te all-tackle world record yellow perch is reported by IGFA to have weighed 4 pounds, 3 ounces. Tat fsh was caught in New Jersey in 1865.

For more record fsh, go to coastalanglermag.com.

TIPS FROM A PRO

HOW TO FIND AND TARGET THE POST-SPAWN FEED

In some parts of the country, the bass spawn is already coming to an end like it is down here in Florida. In others the post-spawn might not start up for another couple months. Regardless of your phase, this post-spawn fshing tip should help you dial in your fshery when the time is right for you.

One thing is the same for every fshery and every species of bass afer they spawn, they are hungry! Tis can create some awesome and fun fshing opportunities. Post-spawn bass have provided some of my best days on the water.

Typically, afer the largemouth bass spawn, there are other fsh that begin their spawn. I’m not a scientist, but I’m sure this has a lot to do with the specifc timing of why bass do their thing when they do. In most areas of the southern United States, bluegill and ofentimes shad start to spawn very shortly afer the bass fnish up. Afer a long couple weeks or months protecting eggs in the shallows, bass use every advantage they can to feed when these baitfsh group up, and this can make for some fun fshing.

Smallmouth bass and spotted bass in the post-spawn phase are very similar to largemouths when it comes to taking

advantage of bait schools. I have seen them group up and attack shad, perch and alewife schools and any other bait that is readily available. Typically, I do a lot of my searching for these things with my electronics and forward-facing sonar, which is a very helpful tool for learning fsh activity and seeing what’s going on under the surface of the water.

Most of the time you don’t necessarily need electronics. You can use clues visible to the naked eye to help you fnd this “feed” that is going on. Birds feeding on the water is an awesome sign of a feeding frenzy, and it’s one thing I always look for. Also, always keep your eyes peeled for fsh blowing up on the surface or shad fickering under the surface. Sometimes the very smallest clue can lead you to much larger picture. Birds standing on specifc banks, the sound of bluegill popping around vegetation, anything that clues you in to bait in the area usually means the bass aren’t very far away.

Hopefully this tip will help you when the fsh in your area get into the post-spawn feed. Find the bait, and you will fnd the bass!

I try to imitate the prevalent baitfsh with whatever kind of lure I’m throwing. For bluegill eaters, I will throw a frog or a swimjig in bluegill colors. For shad eaters, I will throw white or silver topwaters and crankbaits.

Always match the hatch if possible. Good luck out there this season, and tight lines!

Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide. Check out his website at www.tylerwoolcottfshing.com.

TYLER WOOLCOTT

READY FOR

By Will Schmidt

RED GROUPER

With gag grouper closed until late summer for many of us, it is time to be out looking for red grouper to fll our tacos this spring and summer. Fortunately, they are aggressive eaters if you’re willing to make the extra efort to go to their feeding grounds. In general, to get to decentsized reds, you’ll need to head a bit farther out, with the best fshing being found in 80 feet or deeper, especially as the water warms. You are still looking for the same type of environment; Swiss cheese bottom, ledges and artifcial reefs can all hold good numbers of quality fsh.

Te tactics are the same and simple. Tey will eat dead or live bait in most cases. Tat said, I found a combination of the two to be the best bet. I like to start with “stinky bait.” Dropping some frozen squid or menhaden is a great way to get the bite going. Once the bite starts, which is usually quickly if they are around, I like to switch to palm-size live pinfsh to entice the bigger fsh. While dead bait and jigs will certainly get you keepers, the larger fsh are quicker to hit a live bait.

Rigs are simple. Circle hooks must be used with natural bait and 5/0 to 7/0 hooks will do the trick. I prefer to use about 2 feet of leader, then a swivel and my weight, and a knocker rig will also work. A minimum of 50-pound fuorocarbon leader is recommended, as they will run for a hole in the rocks once hooked. Keep a close eye on your leaders, as they tend to get chafed when the fshing is good.

Even though red grouper are typically smaller than gags, I still use my goto big grouper set up, as at these depths you could get a big gag or other sea monster. Fortunately, new lighter combos like the Accurate BV600 reel and 70H rod make a full day of fshing more fun and less fatiguing. Tese two-speed reels have a patented twin drag that will stop the hardiest of fsh, and with that winching power you can use a lighter more parabolic rods to handle the biggest of bottom fsh. Line is important too. Te lack of stretch in braid is a must for landing big grouper. A minimum of 65-pound test, and a metered braid like the Nomad Panderra 8x is great for knowing how close you are to the bottom. Moreover, these rods are sensitive enough to do double duty as trolling rods for kings, sails and mahi.

While they might not be quite as big as some of their cousins, red grouper are great table fare, and it is hard to turn down a grouper taco, no matter what variety it is.

Will Schmidt is a seasoned tournament angler who has been writing about fshing from more than two decades.

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